Page 75 of Phoenix Falling
Setting my glass down, I scooted closer and pulled Imogen into my lap, needing to touch her, needing to comfort her. “I don’t know. I don’t have an ability like that. I don’t know what it’s like to lose control like that.”
She tucked herself closer to me. “You’ve never gotten that angry?”
“With males? Yes. But we just beat the hell out of each other and it was over.” I brushed a kiss along the top of her head. “I would never hurt you like that, you know that, right?”
“I know. I trust you, Demetri.”
We sat in the silence, snuggled up in the dim room, until Imogen stirred. When she sat upright, a glow shone in her eyes that dispelled the dark. “Maybe now isn’t the best time, but…I brought you a gift.”
Something like awe sparked in my heart. “You brought me a gift?” The Archai didn’t have much need of gifts—we had whatever we needed.
“A gift. For you.” That glow brightened, took on a mischievous tone. “And for me.”
Putting everything else away for the night, I turned my complete focus on my mate. “Now I’m intrigued.”
She got up from the couch and crossed to her bag. “I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the bathroom.
I laid my head back on the couch and savored the knowledge of her presence, the fact that she could stay as long as she wanted. That my mate wasn’t going to disappear into thin air. After so many years, it was hard to believe, but I knew deep in my gut that Imogen was it for me. The perfect fit. The other half of my soul. Nothing as insignificant as anger would destroy what was between us; I’d make sure of it.
When she exited the bath, I knew it even more. My heart stopped. “Imogen. God…” She was wearing a white lace nightgown that skimmed her body, hiding what I most wanted to see, highlighting all the parts of her that drove me crazy. I gulped hard.
Imogen fingered the lace as if nervous, taking a few steps closer. “I asked Lyris to help me get it. I know it’s not something from your culture, but in mine, a woman wears white on the night she gives herself to her husband.”
“But the mating ceremony—”
She shook her head. “Not for the mating ceremony. For our first night together.”
Holy— Desire flared, hot and bright in my gut. “Do you want to spend the whole night with me?”
She smoothed the fabric over her stomach. “I wanted to spend the night with you last time, remember?”
“I remember being a noble idiot.” I’d wanted to give her time, not rush. I’d been in agony taking her back to her room.
She trailed the hand down her hip, shifted. “Do you want me to stay?”
I couldn’t even get words out. In fact, forget words. I was on my feet and across the room faster than she could take her next breath.
Her laughter as I swept her off the floor and into my arms was an affirmation of everything I wanted from her, everything we could be together. I couldn’t wait to find out exactly what that would feel like. No more waiting, no more being noble. No more Archai problems.
Now it was time for my mate.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
IMOGEN
Demetri wasn’t jumping up to tackle me. Why wasn’t he jumping up to tackle me? I was standing here in lace, obviously waiting, ready for sex, and… Maybe things were different with the Archai. Maybe I was being too forward?
Oh hell, here goes.“Do you want me to stay?”
And that was when he surged to his feet. Relief flooded me as he crossed the room—so fast, how could they go so fast?—and scooped me into his arms. It felt surreal, being carried bridal style through the living room and into his bedroom, the one room I hadn’t entered yet. His private sanctum. The last glimpse of his face in full light was almost feral, tight and intent on getting me where he wanted to go.
A thrill ran through me at the thought.
“Demetri.”
His name was a sigh on my lips. I’d dreamed so many times of this moment, since the first time I’d seen him. As much as I loved his spirit, his body had always drawn me, and now it was all mine. Would be mine forever. I’d never been one of those girls who’d planned their wedding a hundred times before they’d turned eighteen, but the wedding night… I’d longed for that since I’d known what it entailed, giving myself to my soulmate, the one who would be mine always. Demetri was my always.
He slowed as he approached the bed. A massive bed, meant for a massive shifter. The thought made me gulp.
